Jonathan Paget (NZL) retains the lead after XC in the Ballindenisk CCI3 with Angus Blue (Photo: Bit-Media)

There was no better place to spend today than here – in the sun watching these amazing horses and riders take on the Ballindenisk Cross Country challenge!

CIC3Our first red rosette of the weekend will be making its way to Great Britain in the hands of Oliver Townend (GBR) thanks to a lovely cross country round from Fenyas Elegance (51.6) – we’re sure it won’t be his only rosette at this International! It couldn’t have been any closer though so congratulations also to Irelands Cathal Daniels (2nd, Sammy Davis Junior – 51.7) and Sarah Ennis (3rd, BLM Diamond Delux – 51.8).

​CCI3New Zealand’s Jonathan Paget and Angus Blue held their nerve to retain the lead in this class overnight and they’ll have to hold it for a little longer as Great Britains Oliver Townend (Ulises – 43.7) and Michael Owen (The Highland Prince – 45.9) will do their best to snatch victory in the showjumping phase.

CCI2Great Britain’s Flora Harris went clear across the country on both of her CCI2 horses so remains in 1st and 2nd place with Monarts Masterpiece (41.5) and Billy Bandit (43.0). Ireland’s Alison Holden has jumped from 5th place into 3rd after a lovely clear cross country run today with O My Balladeer (45.7).

Ben Hobday (GBR) and It's Just Jazz lead the Eventing Ireland CIC2* after Dressage and XC (Photo: Bit-Media)

​CIC2Time penalties were a factor in this class today so our 1,2,3 have swapped places but with less than a pole separating them tomorrow it’s still all to play for! Overnight, Ben Hobday (GBR) is in the lead (It’s Just Jazz – 43.3) and hot on his heels are Rosie Fry (GBR) with Arise Cavalier (43.9) and Ciaran Glynn with November Night (46.3).

CCI1No major changes to the leaderboard in this class with our top 3 after dressage all recording faultless rounds today. Less than a pole separates them so this will be another exciting finale! Overnight leader is Millie Dumas (GBR) with Fabian (44.5), 2nd is Oliver Townend (GBR) with Ececheira (46.3) and 3rd is Nicky Roncoroni (GBR) and Mullaghmeen (47.4).

CIC1An unfortunate stop in the Cross Country moved Sharon Hunt (GBR) down the leaderboard which has left the way clear for 3 Irish riders to battle it out tomorrow (we hope they’ll wish each other luck in the practice ring!). We wish all 3 the best of luck and can’t wait to watch the action unfold. Aidan Keogh (Castlehoward Ace) leads on a score of 47.0 with Camilla Speirs and LEB Lias Jewel in 2nd (47.7) and Michael Patrick (Ashraw High Flyer) on 49.3.

CIC1 PoniesWell done to all of our pony riders today. We hope that these stars of tomorrow enjoyed their spin around the track today. Good luck to all of them in the showjumping. Overnight leader is Hannah Langan (Tinkas Gold) on 43.3, 2nd is Zara Nelson (Knockbordan Revelation) on 45.2 and 3rd is Robyn McCluskey (Creemully Melody) on 45.6.

ISH Studbook Young Horse CNC* 6YO ClassLuke Drea has led from the outset in this class with Gorsehill Horatio – he impressed the judge with a score of 32.3 in the dressage arena this morning and a clear round XC puts him in poll position overnight. Fraser Duffy will be chasing him twice however as he lies 2nd with Fernhill Exchange (34.1) and 3rd with Lismore Rock a Bill on 35.8.

Dressage for the remaining national Young Horse Championship classes gets underway at 8am and our International competitors must come before the Ground Jury in the Final Horse Inspection at 9am before showjumping starts at 10am.

Oliver Townend (GBR) is tied for 1st place after dressage and showjumping in the CIC3* (Photo: Bit-Media)

Day Two saw sunny spells and the start of competition for the CIC classes. The CIC3* had a very busy day as they also showjumped this evening so there was plenty of action to enjoy in the main arena.

CIC3A testing SJ track moved the scores around quite considerably this evening! Millie Dumas (GBR) and Artistiek was in poll position after dressage but two time penalties in the showjumping arena allowed Oliver Townend (GBR) to catch up so they hold on to joint first place (44.0) heading into the XC tomorrow afternoon. Ireland’s Sarah Ennis is very close behind on 45.4 with BLM Diamond Delux and despite rolling a pole this evening, Andrew Hoy (AUS) is in 4th on 46.8. Its tight at the top and we’re looking forward to the battle tomorrow!

Eventing Ireland CIC2Ballindenisk first timer Rosie Fry (Arise Cavalier) (42.7) and Ben Hobday (Its Just Jazz) (43.3) of Great Britain impressed the judges and lie 1st and 2nd overnight with Ireland’s Ciaran Glynn close behind on 44.7 with November Night.

Welcome to day one of competition here at Ballindenisk!A very soft (!) Irish September morning welcomed our pathfinders. With 7 horses to compete over the next few days, Oliver Townend (GBR) was first into the Heineken CCI* arena, with Ececheira and did a lovely test to finish on 46.3. He finished today in 2nd place but also lies 3rd overnight in the feature CCI3* class with Ulises, so a good start to his weekend.Our overnight leader in the CCI* class is another British rider – Millie Dumas who scored 44.5 with Fabian.

A fantastic start too for Flora Harris (GBR) who lies in 1st and 2nd place overnight in the Horse Sport Ireland CCI2* with Monart’s Masterpiece and Billy Bandit (41.5 and 43.0 respectively). Best of the Irish overnight is Alison Holden with a score of 45.7 – she lies in 5th place with O My Balladeer. New Zealand has the overnight honours in the CCI3* with Jonathan Paget scoring an impressive 38.7 with Angus Blue. Just behind him, Ireland’s Aidan Keogh is in 2nd place with Master Tredstep on 40.9.

Next up for these classes is Cross Country on Saturday – only two more sleeps!If you want to see some fantastic riders jumping huge fences, come and join us on Saturday. XC gets underway at 09.30 with the CIC* (Ponies) followed by the CIC* (10am), CCI* (11am), CIC2* (13.00), CIC3* (15.00), CCI3* (16.00) and CCI2* (17.00).

Tomorrow sees the dressage phases for our CIC classes while the CIC3* will showjump from 17.00.